Johann: Atma thinks it's always the first sunday in June with is used to remind people at large to reflect on the goodness of ones father(s) and to use the day for honor and veneration. May all take this opputunity well and if still alive, of which is not for sure, still possible to personal approach, such is a blessing and not good if not used. Mudita

Johann: [continue] ...kāma-guṇa (sensual giving) , death, alive, increasing the cemeteries in the world. This is why just giving toward the virtuous, those with metta, bears fruits beyond the common, as it's not for further kāma-guṇa that they would use it for, but as base for lessons, for purificatio

Johann: If one would know or remembering the suffering behind pleasing form, sound, smell, taste, touch, one certain would no more desire after it. But because lof lack of remembering and proper attention, beings go after it, take birth, age, get sick, seperated, die, again and again, keeping the flame of k

Johann: If ones sacrifices, generosity, isn't protected by a good closed tank, less fruits can be expected. And what is the tank made of? Saddha, Pasada, metta, Sila, intention for own and others independency.

Johann: Nothing more a blessing as to do not cling to a specific Nikaya, since one can easy take the opportunity of doing theUposatha often two days a new. May all always make the best of given possibilities.

Depabhasadhamma: I am in need of assistance. I am writing a paper about the Three Marks of Existence. I understand the three marks, however, I am befuddled by the meaning and use of the word "existence." Is this English word the translation of the Pali word thiti? Does the word "existence" imply life, living, consci

Johann: Temporary ordination is pretty normal, 3 days, a month, a Vassa... and not to forget that the Buddha promised union with the Asparas, which are beyond being compareable to others...

2020 May 09 19:25:54

Moritz: No no, I really prefer to be a householder, even though not having a house at the moment. I am not much inclined towards nekkhamma... ... even though already doing some nekkhamma now, but not hoping to do so for the long term....

I kana will ask for Sharing the video tomorrow. And Uppasaka Thea those who help Bhante Khmemakumara near behind Phnom Srong beforeHe known the second place not far mightbe 10km from Phnom Srong toward near His Master Lok Ta Klem Knul Asrham.

One day before Bhante Khemakumara arrived here, at Wat Akyum, brought by the police who seem to be stopping foreign-looking wanderers everywhere in the country because of Corona fear), Bhante Johann left walking towards Phnom Aural. Now three days ago. After only three days taking "rest" here, with his strained leg.

I hope there will soon be a sign of him.

As Bhante Khemakumara mentioned, the police and a district monk who were interrogating him were quite harsh and aggressive. And it took a long time until he finally was allowed to just show them on Google maps "maybe the passport could be found here", pointing to Wat Akyum, so they contacted Bhante Indaññano.

Not sure what Bhante Johann would say on such questions and how the interrogators would react, and where he would end up, without passport.

Moritz, sadhu for inform. I thought something could have happened as I noticed a longer interval — than the usual — with no post from Bhante Johann.I hope that all this coronavirus issue isn't causing much problems for Bhante Johann, Bhante Khemakumara or for you in Cambodia.

Moritz, sadhu for inform. I thought something could have happened as I noticed a longer internal — than the usual — with no post from Bhante Johann.I hope that all this coronavirus issue isn't causing much problems for Bhante Johann, Bhante Khemakumara or for you in Cambodia.

Not really sure if the police, trying to enforce corona spread mitigation measures, are focussed so much more on foreigners, or just generally everyone who seems to be straying "out of their bounds", but it might be just easier to spot "foreigners". I mostly know hearsay while staying safely inside the Wat. So for me, so far, there are not many problems, while I am staying here inside the golden cage of Wat Akyum.But for a foreign-looking monk who tries to walk 150 kilometers, it will be difficult to avoid getting into trouble I think.

The only "problem" inside here for me might be that people maybe tend to avoid contact a little bit. Although that is surely in large part also due to the language barrier and my own incompetence at understanding how to integrate here, I think it is also at least a little bit influenced by (justified) corona fear. Because I am coughing and sneezing a little bit sometimes (but it's getting better), it is not unreasonable to assume that I might carry the coronavirus. What is just a little cough and sneeze for a relatively young and healthy person like me might be dangerous for older, not so healthy people if they get infected.

Not really so much a problem for me, making it easier to isolate myself and keep my usual antisocial tendencies, trying to do some computer work (with a mostly very slow and unstable internet connection, tiny steps take a long time).

Bhante Khemakumara, who apparently was able to get out of the Wat to go on almsround this morning, told that the people were very happy to be able to give alms, but at the same time they were afraid. Making sure to close their mouth very fast, or to bow down very deep while receiving the Anumodana, to not possibly get any droplets of virus into their face. And then after the act of almsgiving, quickly turned away and turned their face mask on. But going to the next shop or market stand before, to buy this or that, did not seem to cause so much concern for them.

I have reason to worry that I might really carry the virus and spread it to others. So I think I should be careful.

But mostly I still worry what might happen to Bhante Johann when he gets caught and cannot show or even point to a possible location of a passport (because I think he threw it away long ago). After three days with no sign, I assume he has had no opportunity to access the internet so far. He left the Sangha tablet here. He would only ask to borrow a mobile phone from a fellow monk if there is an opportunity I think. I don't think he would ask to borrow from a layperson (which would break some Vinaya rule I think, to ask for something like that) - like a police officer or prison ward. If he ends up being put into jail, for straying without passport, maybe no one would hear about it.

Bhante Khemakumara does not seem to worry. He says Bhante Johann knows what he's doing.That may be so. But it might still be troublesome and unhealthy for him.Three months ago, Bhante Johann said he does not need this body anymore and it would only be a burden to repair it another time. I really hope it would last a little bit longer and not be "used up" very quickly again, after only a short time of recuperation. Malaria and dengue fever may break out again any time when he is weakened.

Bhante Khemakumara also said I should not worry if people avoid contact. Because contact is the cause for feeling. And feeling is the cause for craving... and so on. I think that is a bit too "far out" for me. So I am happy to have the opportunity to at least seek some contact here and share my worries a little bit.

May all have the possibility to focus the heart more on what is skillful so everyone gets the energy to overcome suffering.

And what is skillful?

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa

And what is skillful? Abstaining from taking life is skillful, abstaining from taking what is not given... from sexual misconduct... from lying... from abusive speech... from divisive tale-bearing... abstaining from idle chatter is skillful. Lack of covetousness... lack of ill will... right views are skillful. These things are termed skillful.

And what are the roots of what is skillful? Lack of greed is a root of what is skillful, lack of aversion is a root of what is skillful, lack of delusion is a root of what is skillful. These are termed the roots of what is skillful.

"When a disciple of the noble ones discerns what is unskillful in this way, discerns the root of what is unskillful in this way, discerns what is skillful in this way, and discerns the root of what is skillful in this way, when — having entirely abandoned passion-obsession, having abolished aversion-obsession, having uprooted the view-&-conceit obsession 'I am'; having abandoned ignorance & given rise to clear knowing — he has put an end to suffering & stress right in the here-&-now, it is to this extent that a disciple of the noble ones is a person of right view, one whose view is made straight, who is endowed with verified confidence in the Dhamma, and who has arrived at this true Dhamma."

May all living beings in all realms gain a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression.

Atma has no worries about the goodness of the sublime Buddha,Dhamma and Sangha and no worries about someone who practice accordingly to the Buddha-Dhamma because a follower of the Triple Gem will always be well protected.

may all have confidence in what is supreme. Why?

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa

"Among whatever beings there may be — footless, two-footed, four-footed, many footed; with form or formless; percipient, non-percipient, neither percipient nor non-percipient — the Tathagata, worthy & rightly self-awakened, is considered supreme. Those who have confidence in the Awakened One have confidence in what is supreme; and for those with confidence in the supreme, supreme is the result."

So there was a sign of life from Bhante Johann, seen by the visit and greeting of Upasika Serya this morning, having been given an account in the forum and membership in the Sanghamitta group, which Bhante Johann would have done using the admin account. Probably the photo made after giving alms to Bhante.

Now also Upasika Villa informed that Upasaka Thea's (mentioned earlier here ) wife had heard people in the area talk about a foreigner monk going on pindapat near where Bhante Marcel/Khemakumara dwelt in front of Phnom Srong.

Hopefully Bhante will have a safe further travel without getting stopped by police like Bhante Khemakumara.

* Maybe good to invite Upasaka Thea and his wife, and all the helpful "informants" also to the forum. The normal registration should also be possible again now.